A 41-year old man from Batu Niah, who was reported missing last Sunday, has been found dead

BEKENU, Jan 28 2026 - A 41-year old man who was reported missing after going out hunting in the forest near Kampung Sepurau, Bekenu since last Sunday, was found dead this morning by a search and rescue (SAR) team.

Caption: Firemen carrying the remains of the missing 41-year old  man who was reported missing last Sunday- Picture by Batu Niah Bomba station 

Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station in a statement this afternoon said the deceased, identified as Zaidi Talip, was found about 150 metres from his house at 10:40 am by the SAR team.

Personnel from the Ministry of Health (MoH), who were at the scene, confirmed his death.

The body was later handed over to the police for further action.

Batu Niah station chief Azdwan Awang Sahari said the station received an emergency call from Sergeant Mohd Ali from Bekenu police station regarding a mission person report.

He said a search and rescue (S&R) operation, consisting of the firemen, police and villagers, was later initiated for the missing Zaidi.

According the deceased’s wife, the victim left the house to go hunting in the forest on Sunday, Jan 25, 2026, about 8.30pm.

As of the time of the report, the deceased had not returned home for three  days.

On Jan 26,  wife was said to have managed to contact him by phone but it was not answered.

Her efforts  to contact husband continued yesterday, but there was still no answer.

He could be fully contacted this morning.

 

A police report was lodged at the Batu Niah police station and a S&R operation was launched with the involvement of relevant agencies.

A total of 38 villagers conducted a search in the forest area behind the victim's house within a radius of 200 meters, starting at 07:30 am.

It is understood that the deceased was an asthmatic and had anxiety issue.

(UPDATED) MA63 dashboard launched, public can access authentic MA63 information from today

KUALA LUMPUR,Jan 28 2026: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof this afternoon launched Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) dashboard at Parliament and among those present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Mustapha Sukmud and Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi. 

Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi pointing to the photograph of his grandfather Temenggong Jugah anak Barien on display at the launch of MA63 dashboard. Jugah was one of the founding fathers of the Federation of Malaysia as well as one of the signatories of the Malaysia Agreement 1963. - Picture Facebook/Alexander Nanta Linggi

According to Nanta on his Facebook’s post, the initiative is very important in strengthening the monitoring of the implementation of MA63 in a more structured, transparent and integrated manner, thus increasing coordination between the Federal Government and the State Governments of Sabah and Sarawak.

“Hopefully this dashboard platform can help accelerate the implementation of decisions and provide benefits to all stakeholders, in line with the aspirations of the federal government,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Mustapha, on his Facebook’s post, said the launch of this dashboard is an important step towards strengthening transparency, integrated monitoring and access to clearer and more open information to the people regarding the progress of the implementation of MA63.

"Through this initiative, the people, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, can now follow the status of the implementation of matters under MA63 more accurately and based on real data.

"This dashboard also serves as a public reference platform that allows the people to obtain authentic information and current developments regarding the implementation of MA63, thus avoiding confusion and misunderstanding.

"MA63 is an important foundation for the formation of the Federation of Malaysia and should continue to be preserved as a national agenda that reflects the principles of justice and equality between regions.

"God willing, this struggle will continue so that regional justice can truly be translated into tangible implementation and provide direct benefits to the people," he added.

Starting today, Jan 28, Malaysians can access authentic information related to the 29 main matters related to MA63.

 

Premier: Sarawak's future economy will not succeed without the participation of women

KUCHING, Jan 28 2926: Premier Abang Johari Openg has expressed his belief that Sarawak’s future economy will not succeed without the participation of women.

Premier Abang Johari Openg: We need female engineers, female scientists, female data scientists, female technology entrepreneurs and female leaders in each of the new sectors. 

He said Sarawak is now moving towards a new economy — green energy, hydrogen, digital economy, aerospace, creative industries and high technology.

“This is the future of our state,” he said at the opening of the Borneo Zone of the International Women’s Day here today.

“We need female engineers, female scientists, female data scientists, female technology entrepreneurs and female leaders in each of the new sectors.

“That is why the Sarawak government places great emphasis on human capital development, including the free higher education initiative in state-owned institutions, so that Sarawakian children, including our daughters have access to education without financial barriers,” the premier said.

Abang Johari stressed that education is the key to social mobility, adding that when a woman is educated, her entire family will be uplifted and the next generation will be more successful.

The premier said that the state government also places emphasis on protecting the welfare and safety of women, especially the vulnerable groups.

“Based on the 2024 People's Happiness Index, women in Sarawak recorded a happier score than men, at 7.54 compared to 7.52 for men.

“Women who are physically, mentally and emotionally healthy will form stronger family institutions and more resilient societies.

“This effort requires integrated cooperation between the federal and state governments, implementing agencies and civil society, in line with the spirit of 'Segulai Sejalai'.

“In the digital era, the use of technology also plays an important role in strengthening social support systems, including access to information, assistance services, education and mental health support for women,”he said.

He said the importance of increasing women's involvement in leadership and policy-making is also a focus of the state government.

He said a report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) stated that in December 2025, women holding decision-making and top management positions in public agencies amounted to 39.3 percent while in 2024, the board of directors of 100 Public Listed Companies (PLCs) was 33 percent.

“However, the development of women's leadership capacity needs to be continued systematically so that more women can contribute at the strategic level,” he said.

He also said that women's mastery of technology, data and digital innovation skills also needs to be empowered so that they not only become technology users, but also play roles as creators, leaders and decision-makers in the country's digital ecosystem.